Raising funds for equipment for the RCH Emergency Department.

Area: Eastern suburbs

The story so far

CasKids was formerly the Nunawading Auxiliary of the RCH. It was established in 1967 and renamed CasKids in 1995, as the Auxiliary supports the RCH Emergency Department.

There are 10 women in our group and five “Friends of CasKids”. Three of us mark 46 years of working together for this year (2017) and, of course, this year CasKids also turned 50 years old! Since 1973, when we decided to fund equipment for various departments in the hospital, we have raised $501,918.

The best thing about belonging to a group of volunteers who are committed to a cause, is that you ‘grow’ together as you travel on your journey. We have experienced engagements, the birth of our children, divorces, remarriages, and, sadly the loss of precious children. Through all of this we have remained a strong group of supportive friends who look forward to seeing each other every month to meet or hold a fundraiser. The friendships formed along the way are lifelong. In the past we have included our husbands or partners in our fundraising ventures so that once again new friendships have formed.

Each year we meet as a group to celebrate Australia Day. We have held stalls, sausage sizzles, lamington drives (making the lamingtons ourselves), fashion parades, Dutch auctions, jewellery and bag evenings, and of course spent some wonderful times at the AGM in at the ‘old’ hospital hearing the doctors, nurses, and specialists from various departments talk about their work at the hospital. Very motivating stuff!

Over the past years we have sold many Auxiliary tote bags, which are generated through the hospital in a multitude of colours, and they have been wonderfully successful. To date Auxiliaries have sold in excess of one million bags. We have seen them everywhere, even overseas!

For over 15 years we have supported the Young People’s Health Service, which is part of the Department of Adolescent Health. We have helped them with donations of toiletries, underwear and socks for the marginalized youth.

We have been supported by wonderful companies in the past including Linen House, Officeworks and Dollar Curtains, whose donation of goods has given us the opportunity to continue fundraising for the Emergency Department. The donated goods have been sold on our many, varied stalls and we are extremely grateful to them.

What we are working on

We are always working towards another project. CasKids has provided a great deal of medical equipment over the last 45 years. CasKids is currently awaiting another project, having just completed the purchase of a medical app for the Emergency Department staff to have on their phone.

For many years we have held monthly stalls at the RCH and also three external stalls a year at Tunstall Square Donvale, run by the Donvale Rotarians. We also attend the Paddy’s, Andy’s and Winter Market stalls in RCH Main Street. CasKids is known for its terrific bargains in many and varied goods.

If you are looking to join an active Auxiliary and are young at heart, please contact CasKids and they would love to talk to you about the positive effects of volunteering.

Alternatively if you are interested in helping out with a stall or attending one of our functions then please call CasKids Secretary, Robyn Anderson. Robyn is the immediate past President of the RCH Auxiliaries. Please contact Robyn if you are interested in any other aspects of the RCH Auxiliaries.

Office bearers

President/Secretary: Robyn Anderson
Vice-President: Gail Simpson
Treasurers: Helen Smale, Nola Fairbairn

Contact

Robyn Anderson

Email
[email protected]

Phone
0421 059 727